Around SherwoodSherwood Real Estate & Community Events in and around Sherwood Oregon2015-03-02T18:04:39Zhttp://aroundsherwood.com/feed/atom/WordPressAurora Taylorhttp://aroundsherwood.com/?p=28972015-03-02T18:04:39Z2015-03-02T17:06:45Z

The Voices of the Performing Arts is proud to present Mary Poppins – the Broadway Musical this weekend and next weekend.

There will be two weekends of evening performances:

Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm

March 5-7 and March 12-14

At the Sherwood Cultural Center, 22689 SW Pine Street, Sherwood, Oregon near City Hall in Old Town.

Mary Poppins is the story of the Banks family who live in a big house in London on Cherry Tree Lane. In this family, the children, Jane and Michael are out of control. They are in desperate need of a good Nanny. Jane and Michael have their own ideas about what qualities their Nanny should have, while their parents, particularly Mr. Banks, are insistent on someone strict. When a mysterious young woman named Mary Poppins appears on their doorstep, the family finds that she just might be the answer to all their prayers- but in the most peculiar way. Mary Poppins professes that, “Anything can happen if you let it.” This motto takes the children on wonderful, magical adventures, and even teaches them a lesson or two.

With spring just around the corner, more and more open houses popping up, you may have begun an informal search for the home of your dreams. You may be tempted to enter this complicated venture on your own, hoping to save a little money on commission fees. However, there are plenty of elements to consider, and here at the McCabe Real Estate Group, we pledge to provide our expert services to help you navigate complex process with as much ease as possible.

Some reason to consider hiring a buyer’s agent:

1. As licensed real estate professionals, we provide much more than the service of finding the home of your dreams. We are expert negotiators and superb navigators of this challenging real estate market.
2. By representing you as your buyer’s agent, we can save you endless amounts of time, money, and frustration as our job is to work for you and sift through the market to find you your ideal home.
3. With over 60 years of combined experience in the market, we are an excellent resource for general information about the community and have a large database of contacts for insurance agents, repair services, etc. We work in five counties in the Portland Metro and know this community and this business inside and out.
4. When you hire the McCabe Real Estate Group, you not only will work directly with one of our Buyer’s Agents, but you will have access to an entire team of folks who are here to help you however we can.

Meet Our Team:

The proud parents of three children, Todd and Leslie McCabe teach their children the importance of making a positive difference by simply volunteering time and “giving back” as much as possible. These longtime Sherwood residents give back to their community all year long through fundraisers, charitable donations, and countless volunteer hours, including organizing the Egg Hunt for Hope, volunteering at the Sherwood Relay for Life, and serving on the Sherwood YMCA Board. For every transaction, a portion of our commissions is donated to charity.

Brenda Currier, Broker

Direct: 503.730.9105
brenda@toddmccabe.com

Brenda has been active in real estate since 1990, working in new construction, seller-financing, and now in residential sales. Being a dedicated Buyer’s Agent allows her the satisfaction of helping navigate the often complex process of finding a new home.

Jen Myers, Broker

Direct: 541.977.3655
jen@toddmccabe.com

Jen spent the last ten years in Central Oregon working with a strong real estate team where she developed dynamic solutions to help clients achieve the results they deserve. She prides herself in helping clients have the highest quality experience possible.

Rebel Steirer

Direct: 503.320.2233
rebelsteirer@kw.com

Rebel is a native Oregonian with the knowledge to help you make an informed real estate decision. She has an honest and informed approach and is committed to each client, knowing you deserve the earnest efforts of a professional when dealing with a real estate transaction.

Our Team Can Provide You With:

• Accurate and aggressive pricing using the most current data available.
• Extensive marketing using print, internet, mailings, and promotional materials.
• Direct access to listing and buyers’ agents as well as support staff.
• Highly trained support staff to be there at every step of your transaction.
• Marketing branding that gets the recognition your home deserves.
• Updates with feedback on showings, area demographics for your home, viewing stats, etc.

After a long awaited construction project, the new Sherwood Center for the Arts will open this Saturday from 11am – 3pm. Located near City Hall in Old Town Sherwood, this building will serve as the centerpiece for Sherwood’s thriving cultural arts programs. The Opening Ceremony is open to all, free, and includes a ribbon cutting ceremony, refreshments, entertainment, demonstrations, and activities for all!

The mission of this center is to, “Inspire, educate, and enrich the Sherwood community through diverse activities that enhance the quality of life.”

Mary Poppins, presented by the Voices of the Performing Arts, March 5-7 & March 12-14 at 7:30pm.

Concert for Kids Project, presented by the Sherwood Foundation for the Arts, March 20th, 6:30pm.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, presented by Tears of Joy Puppet Theatre, May 9th, 2pm.

Available for rental, this facility includes a Main Hall that seats 385 people theater-style or 20o for a banquet and includes a full stage, as well as a kitchen, dressing room, two classrooms, and a lobby.

The Lobby Gallery will host rotating exhibits throughout the year, with the following exhibits already on the calendar:

Feb. 28 – May 22: Makers 5 (Featuring work from the five artists who made this center possible: D.K. Boljat, David Bryan Gilmore, Sharon Orella, Lori Randel, and Juliet Armstrong)

June 4 – June 27: Student Art Show

July 9 – September 23: Pacific NW Artists Exhibition

Oct. 1 – Dec. 31: History in the Making

Additionally, beginning this summer, classes will be available for artists of all ages. If you’d like to apply to be an instructor, click here.

More information on renting the facility, upcoming events, etc. is located at the City of Sherwood’s website here.

Yet another reason to consider relocating your family to Sherwood, Oregon…

Sherwood Schools are some of the top performing schools in the state of Oregon, according to the Oregon Department of Education. In fact, while much of the state is lagging with graduation rates, Sherwood High School performed exceptionally well with a rate of 92.7% of students graduating within four years. This means that Sherwood School District had highest graduation rate in the state for any school with a graduating class of more than 100 students!

Improving high school graduation rates has been a source of pride and a focus of Sherwood High School for several years. High school teachers and administrators focus on a successful 9th grade transition and monitor the progress towards graduation of all students. They provide a variety of supports to students who are struggling and intervene to help as early as possible. Their efforts are paying off, as Sherwood continues to have graduation rates among the highest in the Oregon.

“Sherwood High School remains committed to the success of all our students and we are proud of their efforts. Our students, staff and community continue to strive toward ensuring that all of our students are college and career ready upon graduation,” said Sherwood High School Principal, Ken Bell in a recent press release from the district.

In October, the Oregon Department of Education released report cards for K-12 schools across the state, evaluating their performance for the 2013-14 school year. Sherwood schools performed very well, with all schools receiving a Level 4 or Level 5. Level 5 is the highest rating, signifying the top 10% of schools in the state.

With spring just around the corner, you may be considering listing your home soon. This can be a very stressful process, but here at the McCabe Real Estate Group, we pledge to work our hardest to remove as much stress as possible. One of the ways you can make the sale of your home run as smoothly as possible is by considering having it pre-inspected prior to listing.

A pre-inspection allows you, the seller, to know in advance what issues your home may have that could potentially lead to your sale falling through later down the road. More importantly, it places the power in the seller’s hands, as it allows you the knowledge to make repairs early so the buyer can’t later mark up the costs. It also gives buyers peace of mind as they can know in advance the condition of the home.

So what exactly should you include in the pre-inspection? According to Trulia, you should consider the following:

Whole home inspections - A top to bottom review of your home from the foundation to the roof. These inspections are often very extensive and include detailed reports on all of the systems of the home including plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, and structural components.

Pest and dry rot inspections - These inspections are focused on identifying evidence of active (and inactive) wood destroying organisms like carpenter ants and termites and the damage they may have caused. In addition inspectors will identify issues that can cause rot in a home like leaking water pipes, poor ventilation, earth to wood contact, and moisture problems.

Well and septic inspections - In rural areas many homes use well and septic systems for drinking water and sanitation. Inspections of wells focus on gallons per minute production and the safety of the drinking water while septic inspections focus on making sure the tanks and lines moving the waste water away from the home are functioning properly.

Roof inspections - A roof inspection will evaluate the current state of the roof system identifying problem areas such as missing tiles, valleys and flashing which may need repair, gutter systems, downspouts, and the estimated life span of the current materials.

Foundation inspections - Often a foundation inspection may be called for if a home is built on a soil type or area that has a history of slippage, or if the foundation is showing signs of fractures. In addition many buyers order a foundation inspection if a home is older or if the home has beams which are sagging due to a lack of support.

Remember, anything that is revealed in a pre-inspection must be disclosed to potential buyers, but if you are serious about selling your home, wouldn’t it be best to know this information sooner instead of later?

If you are considering selling your home, we would be happy to help you find the right inspector for your home. Please let us help you make this process as easy as possible!

Just listed! VERY NICE Woodhaven beauty in the heart of coveted Sherwood. This five bedroom, 2,696 square foot home boasts a great room floor plan, an updated kitchen with tile floors, granite countertops, a cook island and a pantry. Also on the main floor is a formal dining area and an office.

The master bedroom quite comes compete with a walk in closet and jetted tub. Additionally, there is a separate storage room upstairs.

The home has air conditioning, professional landscaping, and ample storage in the garage. It’s close to walking trails, parks, and the YMCA, and feeds into some of the best schools in Oregon.

With so many people battling cancer here in Sherwood, the Egg Hunt for HOPE committee had an overwhelmingly challenging time choosing a recipient for 2015. We decided to go back to our roots, when nine years ago, we created this event to help a local family with a child battling cancer. Every year since then, we have always chosen a child first, and if there were no sick children, then we would honor an adult.

This year is no exception, and we are pleased to announce that our 2015 event will honor Emma Aanderud, an exceptional young woman who is currently a sophomore at Sherwood High School and is battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Emma has a beautiful spirit and has faced this challenge with poise and grace. Our hope is to unite and lift her up as she continues her fight. Read more about her inspiring journey here.

As we move forward to this year’s event on Saturday, April 4th at Laurel Ridge, we hope you will not only put it on your calendars and plan to attend, but also reach out to us, the committee of volunteers that makes this event happen, and offer your assistance however you feel led to do so.

We need silent auction items, sponsors, monetary donations, and volunteers in the planning and execution of the event. All contributions are tax deductible, thanks to Sherwood Friends Community Church. Please email leslie@toddmccabe.com for more information.

We are proud to announce that Jen Myers has joined the McCabe Real Estate team, and we are excited for the experience she brings!

Trust and quality service aren’t always easy to find but they are at the heart of what Jen works to provide each client she works with. The first-time buyers, families, land owners and investors Jen has worked with would tell you that she an agent who will make sure you have all the information you need and make sure you understand every step of the process to ensure quality experience.

Jen recently moved from Central Oregon where she was part of a strong real estate team made up of her family members. There, she learned to come up with dynamic solutions to help clients achieve the results they deserve. She also learned the importance of giving back to the community that she works in. Jen helped support the fight against Cancer by being one of the top fundraising Team Captains for the Relay For Life, she enjoyed helping the kids in her community and won the Big Brother/Big Sister of the year award and also was the event organizer for the Polar Bear Fun Run which supported a local school. After 10 years in Central Oregon, Jen is excited to be back in the valley and utilize her wide-ranging experience to serve clients in the community she grew up in.

Jen is a graduate of the University of Oregon and now lives in Sherwood with her high school sweetheart and her two young boys. When she isn’t helping clients or chasing her boys she can be found running the roads and trails in the area training for her next marathon.

Please contact Jen today to find out how she can use her expertise to give you an experience that will leave you bragging to your friends.

Winter is just around the corner and with that means colder temperatures and the need for winterization of your home and property. Here are some areas to consider so you aren’t caught off guard with the oncoming colder weather.

1. Furnace Maintenance: Stock up on furnace filters and change them monthly. Consider switching your thermostat for a programmable thermostat. Have a HVAC professional inspect your furnace and clean the ducts. The more efficiently your furnace can run, the cheaper your monthly heating bill will be. Install a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace.

2. Fireplaces: Cap or screen the top of your chimney to keep out rodents and birds. If your chimney hasn’t been cleaned in awhile, consider having a professional come by to insure the chimney is clean and in working order.

3. Exterior, Doors and Windows: Inspect your exterior for any cracks or exposed entry points around pipes and seal them. Use weatherstripping around doors to prevent cold air from entering and be sure to caulk your windows. If your home has a basement, consider protecting window wells with plastic shields.

4. Roof and Gutters: Check your flashing to ensure water cannot enter your home. Replace worn roof shingles or tiles. Clean out the gutters and use a hose to spray water down the downspouts to clear away debris.

5. Prevent Plumbing Freezes: Drain all of your garden hoses, insulate your exposed plumbing pipes, and know where your water main is in case you need to shut it off in an emergency. Drain the AC pipes and if you rAC has a water shut-off valve, turn it off. If you go on vacation, leave the heat on and set it to at least 55 degrees.

Winterize Your Garden

Weston Miller, Horticulturist of the Oregon State University Extension Service, offers this list of things to consider as the weather conditions become colder:

2. Add lime to your soil now so your vegetables will grow well next season. After liming, add a layer of mulch on the soil of garden beds and around ornamental shrubs. Be sure to cover your cold tender perennials as well.

3. Be sure to remove winter weeds before they go to seed next spring.

4. Prune your roses to 2 1/2 feet or so to keep them from toppling over in winter winds. Do a final pruning in late winter.

5. Clean and store your garden tools in a dry location. Empty gas from lawn mower if being stored in an unheated shed.

6. Prune your trees while the leaves have fallen. If you are unsure how to prune, consider hiring a licensed arborist.

Remember Your Four Legged Friends!

Finally, the Oregon Humane Society offers a few tips regarding pet safety. Most importantly, as the temperatures drop, keep your pets indoors. If your pets are strictly indoors, you can actually feed them less as they will exercise less in the winter. If you must keep your pet outdoors, be sure to find a warm and dray area for them to sleep and feed them a little more than normal, as the cold requires more calories. Remember, if you are cold, so is your pet! Finally, if your vehicle is stored outdoors, be sure to slap the hood of your car loudly before starting it to awaken any animal that may have taken shelter there.

The McCabe Real Estate Group believes that the holiday season can actually be a great time to sell, especially in Sherwood! Here are some of the reasons you should consider listing your property right now:

1. Seller Competition is Lighter During the Holidays

Because home sellers tend to be reluctant to sell during the holidays, there is a shortage of inventory on the market. This means fewer comparable homes, meaning the home seller can often get close to their asking price. With a scarcity of homes on the market, it places the seller in a unique situation of power.

2. Holiday Home Shoppers are More Motivated

While the average home buyer may take a break from searching during the holiday season, the home buyers who remain active in their searches tend to be extremely motivated buyers. Whether it’s because they are relocating or their family situation requires a move, these are these are buyers who are willing to brave the cold and put their holiday plans on hold to search for a home. They are anxious to move and are often willing to spend significant money to relieve their stress.

3. Internet Searches Surge During the Holidays

According to realtor.com, home buyers prefer house hunting from the comfort of their warm home as opposed to braving the cold and seeing homes in person. It’s critical that you select a realtor who is skilled in online marketing. The McCabe Real Estate Group owns over 50 internet domains related to real estate, ensuring that buyers will be able to find your home online. Additionally, because we are with Keller Williams, your home would be exposed to over 300 additional websites. Our priority is to get your home maximum exposure!

4. Hassle-Free Holiday Selling:

It’s your home, and you can have complete control over the home-selling process. If you’re out of town, great! That makes listing the home even easier! Holiday decorations? No problem, just keep your decorating similar in style to what your neighbors do. Have family coming into town? Then work with us to create blackout dates. You also can create a daily showing schedule. We will work with your family’s unique holiday needs and make this process as hassle free as possible, so please consider listing with the McCabe Real Estate Group today!

Some information from this post was borrowed from Sam DeBord’s original article posted to realtor.com. You can read his complete article, titled “10 Reason You Can Sell Your Home During the Holidays Without Hassle” here.